Corner construction



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INVENTORS.

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United States Patent M 3,259,409 CORNER CONSTRUCTION Edward R. Chappelland Richard C. Lessner, Des Pla nes, Ill., assignors to ThomasIndustries Inc., Des Plaines, III., a corporation of Delaware Filed Apr.6, 1964, Ser. No. 357,571 4 Claims. (Cl. 287189.36)

The present invention relates generally to a corner construction andmore particularly to a corner construction for angularly disposed trimmembers, and for door and window frames.

It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new andnovel corner construction for trim or frame members whereby theinterconnection between the adjacent ends thereof is rigidified so as tomaintain proper alignment of the members and resist twisting and bendingforces imposed thereon.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cornerconstruction, as described, wherein rigidness of the interconnectionbetween members is accomplished by forming the ends of the members withcomplementary interlocking elements.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a cornerconstruction, as described, wherein the complementary interlockingelements at the ends of the interconnected members are so arranged thatthe external appearance of a mounted trim or frame assembly is notimpaired.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide acorner construction, as described, wherein the members that are to beinterconnected may be inexpensively fabricated and quickly and easilyassembled.

Now in order to acquaint those skilled in the art with the manner ofmaking and using corner constructions in accordance with the principlesof the present invention, there will be described in connection with theaccompanying drawing a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawing:

FIGURE 1 is a front perspective view of a generally rectangular trimframe assembly, foreshortened in two dimensions, incorporating thecorner construction of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary elevational view, on an enlarged scale, of oneupper corner of the trim frame assembly of FIGURE 1, taken substantiallyalong the line 22 in FIGURE 1, looking in the direction indicated by thearrows;

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, on an enlarged scale, of thecorner shown in FIGURE 2, taken substantially along the line 33 inFIGURE 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly inelevation, taken substantially along the line 44 in FIGURE 2, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows;

FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary view, partly in section and partly inelevation, taken substantially along the line 55 in FIGURE 2, looking inthe direction indicated by the arrows; and

FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the complementary ends ofa pair of trim members in adjacent but disconnected positions.

Referring now to FIGURE 1, there is indicated generally by the referencenumeral 10 a rectangular trim frame assembly which comprises four trimmembers 12, 14, 16 and 18. The adjacent pairs of ends of these four trimmembers are respectively secured together to form corners in accordancewith the principles of the present invention. Since all four corners ofthe trim frame assembly 10 are of corresponding construction, only onecorner construction will be described in detail.

3,259,409 Patented July 5, 1966 Referring now to FIGURES 2-6, the cornerconstruction at the adjacent pair of ends of the trim members 12 and 14will be described. The trim member 12 is comprised of a channel memberhaving spaced apart substantially parallel arm portions 20 and 22 joinedtogether by a web portion 24. The arm portion 20 has an end edge 26terminating at an acute angle with respect to the plane of the webportion 24. The arm portion 22, which is preferably wider than the armportion 20, is provided with an end portion 28 that is offset from theplane of the arm portion 22 in the direction of the arm portion 20. Inaddition the trim member 12 is provided with a flange element 30 whichextends along the arm portion 20 in a plane substantially perpendicularto the plane of the arm 20. Extending along the arm portion 22 in aplane substantially parallel to the plane of the flange element 30 is aridge element 32 having a terminal end edge 34 adjacent the offset endportion 28.

The trim member 14 is comprised of a channel member having spaced apartsubstantially parallel arm portions 36 and 38 joined together by a webportion 40. The arm portions 36 and 38 respectively have end edges 42and 44- terminating at an acute angle with respect to the plane of theweb portion 40. The trim member 14, like the trim member 12, is alsoprovided with a flange element 46 that extends along the arm portion 36in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of the arm portion36. The flange element 46 is formed with a lateral wing portion 48. Thetrim member 14 is further provided with a ridge element 50 that extendsalong the arm portion 38 in a plane substantially parallel to the planeof the flange element 46. The ridge element 50 is formed with a fingerportion 52 that projects beyond the end edge 44 of the arm portion 38.Still further, the trim member 14 is provided with a lateral tab element54 on the web portion 40.

In FIGURE 6, the described ends of the trim members 12 and 14 are shownin adjacent but disassembled positions. When the corner construction isfor a right angle corner as shown, the end edges 26 and 42 of the armportions 20 and 36 are formed at complementary angles, preferably each45; the line of offset of the end portion 28 of the arm portion 22 andthe end edge 44 of the arm portion 38 are also found at complementaryangles, pre-ferably each 45. To accommodate interlocking of the trimmembers 12 and 14, the triangular offset portion 28 of the member 12 isoffset out of the plane of the arm portion 22 a distance equal to thethickness of the arm portion 38 of the trim member 14. The complementaryelements at the ends of the trim members 12 and 14 may be readilyinterengaged by the simple act of moving the end of the member 14longitudinally toward the end of the member 12 along the path indicatedin dotdash lines in FIGURE 6. After interengagement, as best shown inFIGURES -2-4, the Wing portion 48 of the trim member 14 is suitablysecured to the flange element 30 of the trim member 12. The wing 48 andflange 50 may, for example, be secured together by means of a pair ofsheet metal screws 56 threaded through aligned openings in the wing andflange. It will be appreciated that other forms of fastening means, suchas rivets, may be used in place of the screws 56.

When the wing 48 and flange 30 are secured together, the end edges 26and 42 of the arm portions 20 and 36 are disposed in abutting relation,and the offset end portion 28 of the trim member 12 is disposed inoverlapping relation to the adjacent end portion of the arm portion 38of the trim member 14. In addition, the tab element 54 of the trimmember 14 is disposed :in overlapping relation to or in abutment withthe web portion 24 of the trim member 12, and the projecting fingerportion 52 of the trim member 14 is disposed in overlapping relation tothe arm portion 22 of the trim member 12 abutting the terminal end edge34 of the ridge element 32 thereof.

From the foregoing description, it lWlll be appreciated that thecomplementary elements at the ends of the mem bers 12 and 14 overlap andinterlock whereby to rigidify the interconnection therebetween so as tomaintain proper alignment of the members and resist twisting and bendingforces imposed thereon. The corner constructions at the other pairs ofadjacent ends of the trim members of the trim assembly 19 correspond tothe described corner construction. -In this connection, the interlockingelements at the opposite ends of each trim member may be formedcomplementary to each other and the unlike ends of the membersadjacently positioned. Alternatively, the interlocking elements at theends of the horizontal trim members may be .formed identical to eachother, while the interlocking elements at the ends of the vertical trimmembers are formed identical to each other but complementary to theinterlocking elements of the horizontal trim members. In either case, aset of complementary interlocking elements will thus be adjacentlylocated at each corner for interconnection in accordance (with theprinciples of the present invention. Additionally, in normal usage onlythe exterior of the channel members of the trim members are exposed toview. Therefore, since the interlocking elements are disposed interiorlyor rearwardly of the exposed part of the trim members, the externalappearance of the trim assembly is not impaired by the interlockingcorner constructions. Finally, although the corner construction of thepresent invention has been shown embodied in a trim frame assembly, itis to be understood that the corner construction may also beincorporated in door and Window frame assemblies.

While there has been shown and described a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the artthat various rearrangements and modifications may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

We claim:

1. In a corner construction: a first channel member having spaced apartarm portions joined together by a web portion, one of said arm portionshaving an end edge terminating at an acute angle :with respect to theplane of said web portion, the other of said arm portions having an endportion offset from the plane of said other arm portion in the directionof said one arm portion, a flange element on said one arm portion, and aridge element on said other arm portion; a second channel member havingspaced apart arm portions joined together by a WGb portion, one of saidsecond member arm portions having an end edge terminating at an acuteangle with respect to the plane of said second member web portion, aflange element on said one second member arm portion, said flangeelement having a wing portion, a ridge element on the other secondmember arm portion, said ridge element having a projecting fingerportion, and a tab element on said \web portion; and means securing saidwing portion of said second channel member to said flange element ofsaid first channel member with said end edges of said one arm portionsof both channel members disposed in abutting relation, with said offsetend portion of said first channel member disposed in overlappingrelation to the adjacent end portion of said other arm. portion of saidsecond channel member, with said tab element of said second channelmember disposed in overlapping relation to said web portion of saidfirst channel member, and With said finger portion of said second channel member disposed in overlapping relation to said other arm portion ofsaid first channel member adjacent one end of the ridge element thereof.

2. In a corner construction: a first channel member having spaced apartsubstantially parallel arm portions joined together by a Web portion,one of said arm portions having an end edge terminating at an acuteangle with respect to the plane of said Web portion, the other of saidarm portions having a triangular shaped end portion offset from theplane of said other arm portion in the direction of said one armportion, a flange element on said one arm portion in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said one arm portion, and aridge element on said other arm portion substantially parallel to saidflange element and having a terminal end edge adjacent said offset endportion; a second channel member having spaced apart substantiallyparallel arm portions joined together by .a Web portion, both of saidsecond member arm portions having an end edge terminating at an acuteangle with respect to the plane of said second member web portion, aflangeelernent on one of said second member arm portions in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said one second member armportion, said flange element having a lateral wing portion, a ridgeelement on the other of said second member arm portions substantiallyparallel to said flange element and having a projecting finger portion,and a lateral tab element on said second member web portion; and meanssecuring said Wing portion of said second channel member to said flangeelement of said first channel member with said end edges of said one armportions of both channel members disposed in abutting relation, withsaid off-set end portion of said first channel member disposed inoverlapping relation to the adjacent end portion of said other armportion of said second channel member, with said tab element of saidsecond channel member disposed in overlapping relation to said webportion of said first channel member, and with said finger portion ofsaid second channel member disposed in overlapping relation to saidother arm portion of said first channel member adjacent said terminalend edge of the ridge element thereof.

3. For use in a corner construction, a channel member having spacedapart substantially parallel arm portions joined together by a Webportion, one of said arm portions having an end edge terminating at anacute angle with respect to the plane of said web portion, the other ofsaid arm portions having a triangular shaped end portion offset from theplane of said other arm portion in the direction of said one armportion, .a flange element on said one arm portion in a planesubstantially perpendicular to the plane of said one arm portion, aridge element on said other arm portion substantially parallel to saidflange element and having a terminal end adjacent said offset endportion.

4. For use in a corner construction, a channel member having spacedapart arm portions joined together by a web portion, said arm portionseach having an end edge terminating at an acute angle with respect tothe plane of said web portion, a flange element on one of said armportions in a plane substantially perpendicular to the plane of said onearm portion, said flange element having a lateral wing portion at theend thereof, a ridge element on the other of said arm portionssubstantially par allel to said flange element and having a projectingfinger portion, and said web portion having a tab portion projectinginwardly of said channel member at the end thereof.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 777,079 1 2/1904Cottle l89-36 1,002,781 9/1911 Swart l8936 1,968,890 8/1934 Huff 189361,975,622 10/1934 Schermerhorn 18936 2,204,493 6/1940 Henry 52-738 ,6941/1959 Breckheimer 18936 FRANK L. ABBOTT, Primary Examiner.

L. R. RADANOVIC, M. O. WAR-NECKE,

Assistant Examiners.

1. IN A CORNER CONSTRUCTION: A FIRST CHANNEL MEMBER HAVING SPACED APARTARM PORTIONS JOINED TOGETHER BY A WEB PORTION, ONE OF SAID ARM PORTIONSHAVING AN END EDGE TERMINATING AT AN ACUTE ANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THEPLANE OF SAID WEB PORTION, THE OTHER OF SAID ARM PORTIONS HAVING AN ENDPORTION OFFSET FROM THE PLANE OF SAID OTHER ARM PORTION IN THE DIRECTIONOF SAID ARM PORTION, A FLANGE ELEMENT ON SAID ONE ARM PORTION, AND ARIDGE ELEMENT ON SAID OTHER ARM PORTION; A SECOND CHANNEL MEMBER HAVINGSPACED APART ARM PORTIONS JOINED TOGETHER BY A WEB PORTION, ONE OF SAIDSECOND MEMBER ARM PORTIONS HAVING AN END EDGE TERMINATING AT AN ACUTEANGLE WITH RESPECT TO THE PLANE OF SAID SECOND MEMBER WEB PORTION, AFLANGE ELEMENT ON SAID ONE SECOND MEMBER ARM PORTION, SAID FLANGEELEMENT HAVING A WING PORTION, A RIDGE ELEMENT ON THE OTHER SECONDMEMBER ARM PORTION, SAID RIDGE ELEMENT HAVING A PROJECTING FINGERPORTION, AND A TAB ELEMENT ON SAID WEB PORTION; AND MEANS SECURING SAIDWING PORTION OF SAID SECOND CHANNEL MEMBER TO SAID FLANGE ELEMENT OFSAID FIRST CHANNEL MEMBER WITH SAID END EDGES OF SAID ONE ARM PORTIONSOF BOTH CHANNEL MEMBERS DISPOSED IN ABUTTING RELATION, WITH SAID OFFSETEND PORTION OF SAID FIRST CHANNEL MEMBER DISPOSED IN OVERLAPPINGRELATION TO THE ADJACENT END PORTION OF SAID OTHER ARM PORTION OF SAIDSECOND CHANNEL MEMBER, WITH SAID TAB ELEMENT OF SAID SECOND CHANNELMEMBER DISPOSED IN OVERLAPPING RELATION TO SAID WEB PORTION OF SAIDFIRST CHANNEL MEMBER, AND WITH SAID FINGER PORTION OF SAID SECONDCHANNEL MEMBER DISPOSED IN OVERLAPPING RELATION TO SAID OTHER ARMPORTION OF SAID FIRST CHANNEL MEMBER ADJACENT ONE END OF THE RIDGEELEMENT THEREOF.